Partly in response to polls that show the Wildrose Alliance has a significant lead in support over the Stelmach Tories, the Premier announced a Cabinet Shuffle last week that saw some significant changes to his front bench. High-profile ministers have been shuffled to new posts, including Ron Liepert who takes over duties as Energy Minister and Ted Morton who is now responsible for Finance.
Facing a record deficit of $4.3 billion at the end of the fiscal year in large part to low energy prices, Morton will be introducing a budget on February 9th which will include $2 billion in spending cuts with some government departments looking to cut upwards of 15 per cent from their expenditures.
Needless to say the recent slide in the polls is in large part due to the perception that the PC government cannot manage the public finances. However, based on comments made Friday by the Premier and the Finance Minister this government may be able to re-focus the attention and dissatisfaction of the voters.
The Premier has tasked Morton with communicating with the feds that Alberta is unwilling to continue to pay billions into the equalization program when it cannot balance its own budget. Furthermore by referencing the recent criticism of the oilsands from Ontario and Quebec at Copenhagen, Stelmach has signaled that he is willing to go toe-to-toe over this issue.
If managed properly, this issue could be what Stelmach needs to stop the slide in the polls. Equalization has never been a popular program in Alberta. If Stelmach can manage to get a better deal for Albertans he will reap the benefits.
